Why eat plant based protein?

Written By
Torsten Johnson
09 May 2019

Time and time again, research has shown that there are many ecological and health benefits from a diet composed primarily of these vegan proteins. We are not saying that everyone needs to be vegan. However, we do believe that SuperEats can contribute to a healthy society and planet by making it easier for our consumers to eat functional, plant-based snacks.

The Pros of Plant Based Protein

At SuperEats we make it a point that our puffs contain 100% plant based ingredients & protein. Time and time again, research has shown that there are many ecological and health benefits from a diet composed primarily of these vegan proteins. We are not saying that everyone needs to be vegan. However, we do believe that SuperEats can contribute to a healthy society and planet by making it easier for our consumers to eat functional, plant-based snacks.

Plant protein and the planet.

Some of the most compelling arguments for plant based proteins and a plant based diet are the massive environmental tolls animal husbandry takes on the planet. In a 2014 study, researchers from the Water and Development Research Group in Helsinki found that in the United States animal based protein currently accounts for over 60% of the total protein consumed, well over the world average of 33%. The same study showed that replacing just half of animal based proteins in American diets with plant based proteins would result in an 8% nationwide reduction in freshwater consumption, about 10.36B gallons saved [1]. As the global population grows, and as the third world rapidly industrializes, fresh water will become Earth’s most valuable resource. Switching from primarily animal based proteins to plant based proteins is an easy way to ensure that there is enough fresh water to support future generations.

Livestock raised for meat proteins also contribute heavily to greenhouse gas production and global climate change. Around 1.6-2.7B tons of greenhouse gases, mostly methane, are produced from animal digestion, with another 1.3-2.0B tons of nitrous oxide generated as byproduct from producing livestock feed. This accounts for up to 18% of total global emissions, about as much as the entire transportation sector [2]! Reducing the number of farm animals on earth would be a relatively painless way to vastly reduce our carbon footprint.

Plant protein and your health.

A diet dominant in plant proteins has many research backed health benefits. Plant proteins are almost always lower calorie than their meat counterparts, and contain much healthier fats than the typical saturated fats that are in animal products. They also contain much more fiber and water than meat, leaving you feeling fuller and more satisfied. These two factors make a plant protein diet especially useful when trying to achieve and maintain a healthy weight [3].

Meat intake has also been tied to a variety of increased health risks such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and a variety of digestive cancers. A Harvard study lead by Dr. Frank Hu tracked the diet and lifestyle of over 100,000 people from 1980-2010. The researchers found that those who consumed the highest levels of both unprocessed and processed red meat had the highest risk of all-cause mortality, cancer mortality, and cardiovascular disease mortality. After adjusting for other risk factors, the researchers also estimated that by removing one meal of red meat a day and replacing it with other foods such as plant protein the participants’ overall risk of mortality dropped by 7% to 19% [3].

It’s SuperEats’ belief that shifting the composition of our diets towards plants can be an important step in continuing to raise our quality of life, and in attaining a reduced impact on nature. For example, using SuperEats as croutons on salad provides 33% more protein than adding an egg to the salad, both helping you and the planet eat vegan!